SuperClubs Inclusive Resorts is bolstering its U.S. sales team headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, with a series of promotions, appointments and restructuring moves, marking its 30th anniversary.

Bryan Drew, former general manager of Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, has been appointed vice president of retail sales.  Drew, a veteran hotelier with a 20-year track record, started his hospitality career with Hyatt Regency Hotels, where he spent a decade from 1986 to 1995 working at its Hilton Head, SC, Coral Gables, FL, San Francisco, CA, Waikoloa and Kauai, HI, operations.  Returning to the mainland in 1996, he spent two years at La Quinta Resort & Club, CA, before taking the helm as general manager at Marriott’s Hunt Valley Inn in Baltimore, MD, where he was named the 1997 General Manager of the Year by the Davidson Hotel Company, and earned Marriot Corporation’s award for Most Improved Hotel in Guest Satisfaction.  Drew returned to the sunshine state in 1998, overseeing the re-launch of the historic art deco Radisson Deauville Resort Miami Beach, following a $21 million renovation - his efforts earning him a Davidson Hotel Pyramid Award in 1999.  Drew’s strong leadership caught the eye of SuperClubs Resorts, who appointed him general manager of its flagship AAA Four Diamond property, the 210-suite Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, in 1999.

Under Drew’s stewardship, the Grand Lido Negril property has led the SuperClubs chain in group sales and has routinely been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler’s savvy readers as one of Jamaica’s top resorts.  He is also credited with creating and sustaining the popular annual Epicurean Escape event, currently in its 7th year (this year’s event runs June 29 - July 3).  In his new role, Drew will direct a team of three senior district sales managers who supervise 15 sales managers nationwide, and report to executive vice president Tom Trotta.  He will be based in St. Louis, MO.

“Bryan’s diversified sales and managerial talents make him the right person to continue to develop SuperClubs’ travel agency and consortium relationships,” said Trotta.  “In addition to his experience in making sales calls to U.S. travel agencies while general manager, he knows the meetings market well, having personally hosted corporate and incentive groups at Grand Lido Negril.  Plus his track record with key U.S. hotel brands rounds out his grasp of the hospitality business.  We’re delighted to welcome him to the sales management team.  We know this move will help make our U.S. sales and hotels staff work together more seamlessly and therefore be more responsive to travel agencies’ needs from start to finish.”

Jesse Ostrum, former vice president of retail sales for SuperClubs, has been named vice president of revenue management and planning.  This newly created position will allow Ostrum to devote himself to a role he had previously taken on, liaising between the resorts and U.S. sales teams on such key issues as packaging and pricing.

In addition, Rob Fielding is moving from director of field sales to business development manager in the groups department, where he will be able to utilize his SuperClubs product knowledge and draw upon his prior groups experience with Norwegian Cruise Lines.  He reports to Bill Dwyer, vice president of wholesale and group sales.

The wholesale sales team led by Dwyer and his wholesale division director, Gwenn Feliciano, otherwise remains unchanged.  To be announced is the new general manager at Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, where vice president of hotel operations, Sam James, will serve as interim general manager until an appointment is made.

“We are growing our strong and talented sales team and streamlining internal communications,” said John Issa, executive chairman, SuperClubs Resorts.  “These personnel changes capitalize on each team members’ strengths and will reinvigorate the team with fresh ideas and energy.”

 
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